Texas Fall/Winter thread!

[pacerron]

It is misting here, and rain is predicted. I love rain, when we have these warmer temps!

Our rain here put a 1/2" white blanket on everything during the night.
It is now 34 deg so changing to rain.

 

[Bird]

55* and variable light to moderate rain. Looks like it will "train" over us for a few hours. I'm betting we will get some runoff even if it is less than .50, the ground here is pretty moist and decent run-off from the "ice storm" too.

Thinking I will get the flu shot, I have only ever had one, but since it's free.....Another death here from the flu, a married father here in Wise county, I believe that is 22 deaths directly attributed to the flu virus in a 4 county area.

I know others who say they never get the flu shots, and I've never been able to understand that. I got my first one in 1961 or 62. Three days later I was so sick, I went to the doctor, then wondered if I was going to be able to drive home. Once there, I did not get out of bed except to go to the bathroom and/or heat another can of soup for 5 days. So I didn't get another flu shot for many years, but the vaccine is entirely different now. A few years ago I read a news article that said some companies that normally paid "sick leave" to employees who called in sick, would not pay if an employee had failed to get the flu shot that year.

So my wife and I have gotten the flu shots as early as possible each year for about the last 40 years.

 

[txdon]

Western, is the flu that is going around up there one of the flues that the vaccine covers. The flu down here is not. The Dr. said my swab came back negative for the tested flues - however - I did not get a flu shot and my wife did and she did not get this crud. The fever last for 3 days and its over after 5 miserable days.

 

[Bird]

Western, is the flu that is going around up there one of the flues that the vaccine covers. The flu down here is not. The Dr. said my swab came back negative for the tested flues - however - I did not get a flu shot and my wife did and she did not get this crud. The fever last for 3 days and its over after 5 miserable days.

If you can believe the news media, the killer is the H1N1 (swine flu) and it IS one that the vaccine covers. Of course, I don't know whether all the deaths were from the same strain or not.

 

[Western]

Western, is the flu that is going around up there one of the flues that the vaccine covers. The flu down here is not. The Dr. said my swab came back negative for the tested flues - however - I did not get a flu shot and my wife did and she did not get this crud. The fever last for 3 days and its over after 5 miserable days.

Don, Bird hit it pretty good. My wife checked the vaccine at work and I believe she said it covers like 7 strains, one being the H1N1. The reports are the H1N1, or "Swine" flu virus, is the primary culprit in the deaths. The strain usually effects the young, old and health compromised individuals, but reports so far here in N, Texas is it has had a bigger impact on young healthy people as well. ( Seems to mutate each year)

The last 2 deaths here, have been healthy and one I know was only 29, so in they're prime, no underlying condition. There also was a 13 girl near Bird, that died Sunday or Monday. They said the folks that have died DID NOT get this years flu vaccine.

From what the facility doctor told my wife's staff, the vaccine is made each year based on "predictions" of what strains could come out, so not a 100% each year. I remember it was a year or 2 ago, the vaccine did not match the one strain, so was less effective. BUT supposedly this year they have it dead on the mark.

Side Note: Doctor also said that folks born before 1957, could have "some" protection, since they where exposed to some of the weaker strains. Best way I think for protection is what they are recommending to medical staff, get the shot, wash hands and frequently if exposed to others (in public), don't use the "anti bacterial" soaps, rather use good old fashion soap. was hands for a minimum of 30 seconds soaped. Avoid anyone that has a cough.

 

[jinman]

The little 13yo girl who died in Lewisville was "shot challenged," according to the news. By shot challenged, I mean she had been allergic to last year's shot and spent several days in the hospital. Somehow, I think her death is related. There was probably some component of the flu that affected her severely that might not appear in most people. Of course, I have to think the thing with middle-aged men is they are too stubborn to go and get help until they are fully engaged in the sickness.

My oncologist suggested that I get the flu shot at least two weeks before my first chemo treatment, so that's what I did. So far, so good. I have had a nagging sinus infection, but that's my normal MO for this time of year. My sinuses do not like winter weather. I used to load up with decongestants, but I cannot do that anymore due to dangers of blood pressure spikes.

 

[pacerron]

I know others who say they never get the flu shots, and I've never been able to understand that. I got my first one in 1961 or 62. Three days later I was so sick, I went to the doctor, then wondered if I was going to be able to drive home. Once there, I did not get out of bed except to go to the bathroom and/or heat another can of soup for 5 days. So I didn't get another flu shot for many years, but the vaccine is entirely different now. A few years ago I read a news article that said some companies that normally paid "sick leave" to employees who called in sick, would not pay if an employee had failed to get the flu shot that year.

So my wife and I have gotten the flu shots as early as possible each year for about the last 40 years.

Years ago the flu shot was a live virus. Now it is dead. Big difference.
The flu is a systemic disease meaning it attacks your entire body and can do damage to other organs besides your lungs.

 

[Bird]

Years ago the flu shot was a live virus. Now it is dead. Big difference.

That's what I meant when I said it's "entirely different" now. Of course I tended to blame the flu shot back then, but some would say 3 days after the vaccination was too soon for the shot to have any effect one way or the other, so I don't really know.

 

[Western]

Jim, thanks for clarifying that. Also the part about us "men" is a great point and a statistical fact, that was a discussion on FOX I believe yesterday.

Since I have had pneumonia, I have not even got a cough, been 7 years. Prior to that, I would get the flu or a cold every single year. I will get the shot today when the wife gets home from work, her facility provides the vaccine for all staff and their family, as well as any 1st responder that wants one I believe. Pretty nice gesture IMO and FREE 2. Downside is I have to get poked:shocked:, not a fan, but I will get an ice cream for my pain

 

[foreman Etexas]

Well good news no surgery but bad news is have an infection in where had the surgery. They have me on 30days of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory,hope it works so don't have to go to specialist...

I haven't had a FLU shot in many years,probably atleast 10,maybe I should re-think that now days...

 

[pacerron]

Downside is I have to get poked:shocked:, not a fan, but I will get an ice cream for my pain

:chicken:
At least you have a pretty nurse to give you the shot

I was on worldwide shot status for many years and those old airguns that gave six shots at once really hurt but not for long unless you flinched when they pulled the trigger.

Today's throw away needles are really sharp and most are thin. We get our flu shots from the Pharmacist that has been giving them for many years at a local drugstore. After he is done I always ask him how many more years till he opens his eyes when sticking the needle in?
I can still remember as a 7 year old getting a shot in the butt from an old fashioned needle that they used to resharpen. I took off running and yelling clear across the room with the needle and syringe still in my cheek.

I have to get 4 blood draws a year and I don't like that. It seems like every Phlebotomist is in her first week of training

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

A newspaper article said the common symptom among the patients that have died is difficulty breathing.

The doctors said if you have any difficulty breathing, that is when you immediately head to the hospital.

 

[Bob77064]

Since 1991 when I first got the flu shot I have not had the flu. Before that I got the flu most every year, I believe the shot works.

 

[Western]

Foreman, what will it take to get you to "take it easy" geeez man!!:laughing: You're gunna make that so permanent they have to put you in a wheel chair!, or us TBners will have to "amputate", remember "we have tools"!!


Ron, you got that right brother!! My wife laughs at me and honestly it makes no sense to me either, I have broke bones, got countless cuts, ran over by a cow or 10, bucked off horse and never get "girlyfied", pull out a needle and I'd join the Foreign Legion to get away from it!! Makes no sense at all

 

[two_bit_score]

Well good news no surgery but bad news is have an infection in where had the surgery. They have me on 30days of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory,hope it works so don't have to go to specialist...

I haven't had a FLU shot in many years,probably atleast 10,maybe I should re-think that now days...

It's getting scary how many people wind up with infections after surgery now days. It really seems to be getting worse. Hope your recovery is quick and complete Foreman.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Thanks two-bit, I hope I kick it soon, tired of feeling like poop...
And Dennis NO way keep those tools in the shed:laughing::shocked:

 

[txdon]

However, my mother did get the flu shot and she had the same I had flu three weeks earlier, but my father who also had the flu shot did not get it. The only common similarity between the people in my family who get the flu and those that do not is eye color. Blue eyes OK, Brown eyes gets flu.

 

[Western]

Don, that was my reaction when I got my flu shot several years ago, I was sickly for 3-4 days. Now I have learned that some people will have the symptoms worse than others and it can vary from year to year, person to person.

The way the Doc explained it make sense, the result of the body fighting the foreign bug, is still the same (temps, cough, chills ect tra), the symptoms are the bodies reaction to trying to kill off the virus, rather than the virus causing the symptoms. That would make sense if someone "feeling" sick after getting the vaccine. End result is the point..antibodies.

 

[Western]

Thanks two-bit, I hope I kick it soon, tired of feeling like poop...
And Dennis NO way keep those tools in the shed:laughing::shocked:

Foreman, FYI, just put a new chain on the Husky, so pain should be to the minimal. Will have to try to wash off the Poison ivy oil though, will do the best I can for ya. I'm sure one of the fellas here has a hot iron for the cauterizing and some vet wrap and you'll be "half as new"! BTW You're better half is a nurse too, or in school? you would be a good clinical trial:laughing:

 

[pacerron]

The only common similarity between the people in my family who get the flu and those that do not is eye color. Blue eyes OK, Brown eyes gets flu.

Could there be a common similarity from the vast list of autoimmune diseases or their results that may have or not have been diagnosed yet?